Sigma Announces New USB Dock For Upgrading Lens Firmware

As part of a larger press release on the availability and pricing of the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM lens, Sigma has announced a new USB dock which allows photographers to update the lens' internal firmware. In the announcement, Sigma says that several parameters are customizable for the Sigma Sports lenses. DSLR firmware updates have become commonplace. Being able to upgrade the lens firmware to opens up a new realm of getting the camera and lens to work together for improved performance across the board. See the highlighted paragraph in the release below an check out the video demo here.

The updated 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM lens will be available in early May for the street price of $3,599 in Sigma and Canon mounts. The USB dock, which is compatible with lenses from Sigma’s new Global Vision lineup, will also be available in early May for the street price of $59.

Sigma USB Lens Dock

“As the first lens of our Sports lineup to become available, we’re glad to continue the next round of our Global Vision lenses with the 120-300mm F2.8,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “Our USB dock is the first in the industry of its kind, and we’re confident that it will be a ground-breaking product in helping photographers as they work.”

With redesigned mechanics and performance, this Sports lens is an update from its predecessor released in February 2011. With a maximum focal length of 300mm and a wide-open aperture of F2.8, this lens eases difficult shooting conditions. It is dust and moisture resistant, and allows users to switch between two custom settings created via the USB dock. The 120-300mm lens has been redesigned and quality-control tested with Sigma’s proprietary modulation transfer function (MTF) “A1” measuring system as part of Sigma’s new Global Vision category restructuring. Under the new Sports category, the lens also has the manufacturing year stamped on the barrel.

The Sigma USB dock, an industry first, works in conjunction with Sigma Optimization Pro (SOP) software to connect a photographer’s lens to their personal computer and the internet to update firmware and other parameters. The AF speed, focus limiter and OS function are also customizable for Sports lenses, such as the 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM. Upon arrival of the products, SOP will be available via a downloadable copy online here. A video demonstration of SOP software is available here.

When Ansel Adams developed the Zone System with Fred Archer in 1940, he gave photographers a tool great for controlling their images—but only with black-and-white film, and only with view cameras, where sheets of film could be processed individually.